"I swear to the Lord, I still can't see, why Democracy means, everybody but me"

Langston Hughes was a popular figure during the Harlem Renaissance, a duration of cultural and artistic rebirth for African Americans in the early 20th century. The quote "I swear to the Lord, I still can't see, why Democracy suggests, everyone however me" strongly encapsulates the aggravation and disillusionment felt by numerous African Americans concerning the pledges of democracy and equality in the United States.

Hughes was known for offering voice to the battles of African Americans and highlighting the disparities in between the suitables of American democracy and the lived truths of marginalized neighborhoods. This quote shows a deep-seated hesitation and disenchantment with the American democratic system, which proclaims to provide flexibility and equality to all citizens but frequently falls brief in practice, especially for Black people.

The phrase "I testify the Lord" suggests a deep, earnest contemplation and a plea for divine understanding of the persistent oppressions and inequalities. It conjures up a greater power as a witness to the unsatisfied promises of democracy, highlighting the gravity of these societal failures.

The core of the quote depends on the question, "why Democracy means, everybody however me." Here, Hughes explains the exclusionary practices that have actually historically marginalized Black individuals and other minority groups. Democracy, in its truest sense, is expected to be a system in which all people have an equal voice and chance, however Hughes underscores the hypocrisy and irony of a system that seemingly includes everyone yet methodically excludes him and those like him.

Eventually, Hughes' words challenge us to assess the authenticity of democratic ideals and to seriously analyze how societal systems and structures perpetuate inequality. His poignant observation questions the genuineness of a society that preaches inclusion yet practices exclusion, welcoming readers to acknowledge and attend to the systemic barriers that hinder real equality and justice. Through this lens, the quote is both a reflection of individual alienation and a powerful call to action for social change.